Ernestine Mallernee Nichols' Obituary
It has taken me some time to reveal my Moma's passing, I guess because it makes it real. I want to honor her in a way she deserves. Ernestine Mallernee Nichols, she was born June 30th, 1939 she passed away April 18, 2025. Moma lived with me for the past three years. She passed here in her room with me by her side. I'm so grateful to have been the one to follow her journey. Moma was also known as, Nana, Grape Nana, Old Nana, Aunt Ernie. Being a Nana was the most important role of her life. There were three kids in the family. My brother Jamie was a year older than me. He passed away at age 50 and my Mom never got over losing her boy. I was the youngest and only girl. Her Grandchildren Jeremiah, Emily, she was with them young because we lived across the street. Jeremiah kept her entertained with all his craziness. He would run across the street and tattle on me, probably for whooping him. She loved it, I got a scolding from her many times over my kids. I hope everyone shares their stories with their Nana. Sherri, James, Johnathan, Mindy, Jack and Vae and Victoria. Her Great grandchildren, Lexy, Michael, Cassie, and Serena, Addie, Dessi, Mia, Matty and Cuillin. Momas Great Great Grandchildren, Louy, Zendaya. Nana adored and prayed for all her grandkids. The kids all loved her, how could you not? All the kids were never far from her mind, and of course who she worried about the most. When she was able she loved working in her yard in Kansas. She made it like a secret garden for the grandchildren and every flower, bush, garage sale ornament, was done with them in mind. Moma called me Sissy, and I loved that. When I turned 14 I started driving, she was thrilled, she hated driving. My Moma had so much compassion and empathy even with strangers. Even though we were poor ourselves she would dig in the cabinets and I would take her to food banks and we would take the food to someone less fortunate, usually people we didn't even know, but Moma didn't know a stranger. She would quote the scripture: Jesus said If you have done it unto the least of these you've have done it unto me. But... she also put the fear of God in us and quote the old testament stating that if the children are disrespectful to their parent the eagles of the sky would fly down and pluck your eyeballs out! Moma would tell us, God didn't make you to only do good for your little circle of people. He said to reach to all in need. And she tried, she would say, I'm going to the goodwill to see my friends! She meant anyone in that store that day, she spoke to everyone. I would look over and she would be praying for someone and just cry and cry about what they had told her. She was such a good example of goodness before her children. My soft heart comes from her. I wanted to be just like her. Mom never really acted her age she was always childlike and we loved how fun she was. She would sing and dance and just say the funniest things in her perfect southern draw like, That woman screamed like a mashed cat! Or let me tell you what! She quoted her mother saying: I will stomp a hole in you and walk it dry! Lol 😆 Not a Nordstroms kinda gal, more like a yardsale kinda gal. Momas life was so hard, all of it, but she nevertheless she kept her faith and her love. Vienna sausages, beans and cornbread, milk and crackers all by themselves were considered a meal for herself. She ate so much of my early cooking as a child, gravy and biscuits. I never got the flour done, she still ate it. She raised us in church we were definitely holy rollers, singing to God. She was a Sunday school teacher. Young adults guide. Mom volunteered at the Haysville care home. She fought for the little oldies if they were mistreated. When Moma came to live with me and William she was quite sick but she got stronger and was allowed to have freedom and peace, love and affection. My husband many times had been woken in the night by me to come pick Mom off the floor. She loved him. She called William, man from the mountain. She said it's good to have a strong man around. He made her feel safe. My Sister-in-law Margo would come for a month at a time and Moma loved her like she birthed her. Everywhere day, When's Margo coming back. I'm telling Margo on you Sis. I'm so thankful for Sister, she took such good care of Moma and was so loving, a very bright light in Momas life, all our lives. She would sneak things to Mom that she would say I wouldn't give her. 2 peas in a pod those two. When she first came home with us she was weak and me and Margo were trying to get her up on the bed, finally we rolled her and we were laughing until we cried and all three of us peed our pants. She would holler,Will their killing me! Jack and Vae would come and be so patient and loving, holding her hand listening to the same stories over and over again. She was Nana.When Victoria came from Scotland with Cuillin it was like they already knew that she definitely was their Old Nana, because she just reached out and pulled them in. My grandkids Mia and Matty would come and she would sneak things for them out of her refrigerator. I had a call button and the kids would run and get me saying Nana needs you. And then there's Louy her very special Great Great grandson. Never have I seen a love like theirs. He would hold her hand and take her to the bathroom. Always snuggled up to her with his tablet and sleep. Moma had a special kind of love for him and it was wonderful to watch. Louy stole Old Nanas heart for sure. Moma was born in Arkansas then moved to Kansas. 4 sisters 1 brother, all passed before her, that was a heartache for sure. She was everyone's favorite person. She was our go to, our soft place to fall. Always there, and that meant alot. When I came home from school I KNEW she would be home to greet me. Now some of the greetings weren't so fun, like a tennis racket coming at you before I could get in the door. We are broken without her. She was home to all of us. She was our light in the dark. Momas in heaven now, no pain, no anxiety, just pure love with Jesus and the rest of her family. It was a privilege to be by her side when she left us. Lots of kisses and affection, she was my special little Moma and I love you to the stars. I just know your our angel 😇
What’s your fondest memory of Ernestine?
What’s a lesson you learned from Ernestine?
Share a story where Ernestine's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Ernestine you’ll never forget.
How did Ernestine make you smile?